CYFI & the Sustainable Development Goals

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) call for a concerted action worldwide to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity. The 17 Goals address wide-ranging areas, such as poverty, health, education, climate and others.

The SDGs are universal, involving both developing and developed countries in the same manner. Leave No One Behind is the central overarching principle of the SDGs, indicating that progress should be for all people and all regions, especially vulnerable groups, such as migrants, the poor, people with disabilities, and children and youth.

Which of the SDGs are most relevant to CYFI?

CYFI’s model of economic citizenship consists of four components: financial inclusion, and financial, social, and livelihoods education. These four components of economic citizenship, especially when they are offered in unison, have a direct impact on 8 of the SDGs, namely Goals 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10, 11 and 16.

FINANCIAL EDUCATION (Instruction and/or materials designed to increase financial knowledge and skills) - SDG 4: Has positive effects on developing financial behaviors amongst children and youth. SDG 5: Empowers young women and girls, allowing them to take advantage of greater economic opportunities.

SOCIAL EDUCATION (Provision of knowledge and skills that improve an individual’s understanding and awareness of their rights and the rights of others) - SDG 10: Encourages respect and commitment to the rights and interests of others, rejecting all forms of discrimination. SDG 11: Contributes to the understanding of rights and responsibilities, empathy and conflict resolution. SDG 16: Encourages increased youth participation in economic, social and political life at all levels.

LIVELIHOODS EDUCATION (Builds one’s ability to secure a sustainable livelihood through skills assessment and a balance between developing entrepreneurial and employability skills) - SDG 3: Can assist in generating income and securing employment, which improves health and wellbeing. SDG 4: Encourages children and youth to follow future career goals ethically, sustainably and responsibly.